Bill > HR2145

This bill establishes the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Program, a competitive pilot grant program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to improve recycling accessibility in underserved communities. The program will award grants between $500,000 and $15 million to eligible entities including states, local governments, Indian Tribes, and public-private partnerships. At least 70% of the program's funding (totaling $30 million annually from 2025-2029) will be dedicated to projects in underserved communities, which are defined as areas lacking adequate recycling services due to transportation challenges, distance, or insufficient processing capacity. Grant recipients can use funds to increase transfer stations, expand curbside recycling collection, and leverage public-private partnerships to reduce material collection and transportation costs. The federal government will cover up to 90% of project costs, with potential waivers for entities experiencing financial hardship. The EPA must submit a congressional report within two years of the first grant award, detailing grant recipients, actions taken to improve recycling accessibility, and any available information on improved recycling rates. Notably, the grants cannot be used for recycling education programs, focusing instead on infrastructure and accessibility improvements.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2145/all-info